Calls for bus cuts operator to apologise

ROCHDALE’S transport boss has demanded a public apology from First Bus for failing its passengers.

First Manchester has been at the centre of a storm in recent weeks over its axing of a number of services. These include the 438 service to Catley Lane Head.

Although First is not the only operator to have axed services, it was singled out at a public meeting when Coun Noel Bayley - a member of the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) committee which deals with buses - called for a vote.

The motion, which was carried forward, gives First six months to deliver a formal apology to passengers and explain how they will make ‘significant and demonstrable improvements’ in performance and reliability, which were described as ‘inadequate.’

At the meeting, Coun Phil Burke, Rochdale’s representative on the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “The people of Rochdale and Greater Manchester are fed up of First buses either running late, cutting routes and failing to pick up. We ask that they treat people with respect. People need to get around.”

Last month Coun Burke described the cancellations as ‘death by a thousand cuts’ adding ‘it’s time to say enough is enough.’

Coun Bayley, member for St Mary’s in Bury, criticised First’s lack of investment and provision, shortage of drivers and its social media app.

Referring to council subsidies which First receive for fuel, concessions and unprofitable routes, he added: “They [First] want to take millions of pounds from the public purse but not any of the responsibility. They have let the people of Bury down and in my opinion your company is not fit for purpose.”

After the meeting he said First were failing to invest sufficient amounts to maintain the service passengers deserved, adding: “I wasn’t elected - and neither were any of the councillors - to deal with complaints about First. First is a big firm - there’s no excuse for them cutting services they way they have done.”

At the meeting, David Alexander, Divisional Director at First, said there was a driver shortage of ‘25 out of 1,600 drivers,’ adding: “We do need to put our house in order.”

He later added: “Senior management from First Bus and First Manchester attended the meeting and answered questions from [council] members.

“As previously advised, we have decided to withdraw some of our less well used services from April 8 to allow us to allocate more resources to our remaining routes and significantly improve reliability for our customers”.